Muzzle Blasts survey

[smo]

Agreed I'm not blaming the NMLRA it just was strange that the survey was sent to it's members so soon. After all I do live where you have to pipe the sunshine in...But we love it! :thumbsup:

PS No need for me to get started on the USPS

 

[crockett]

Well I stated my opinions as WHY I'm no longer a member. Sort of like someone that used to eat at a restaurant but quit- the owners of the restaurant probably would want to know WHY. So I stated that up front.
I may be wrong on the youth aspect- I bought my first muzzle loader at 15 but it was on my own, no one "introduced" me to it.
The number of members in the NMLRA is dropping. I assume the folks there want to know WHY.
I look at things as alternatives- you can do A or you can do B, but you don't have enough funds or time to do both A and B. As I said, I think this idea that the future is in youth is wrong. I think middle aged black powder shooters- hunters, etc ought to be gone after and introduced to competitive shooting. Now these middle aged shooters could obviously get into competitive shooting on their own, just like a youth (me at 15) can do it own their own, but, and it's just my opinion, I think that if ads were run locally in newspapers or posted on corkboards at local gun shops "LEARN HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN BLACK POWDER SHOOTS, TECH FROM NMLRA WILL GIVE COMPLETE DEMO AT THE XYZ RANGE ON NOV, X". That could generate a lot of interest and increase membership. Like I said- just my opinion.
There may be one more reason for the drop in NMLRA membership. The un-mentionable in-lines. Years ago you had to buy a sidelock to hunt with a muzzle loader- it was the only choice. Since you already had a side lock- that may have gotten a certain number of folks interested in going to a more traditional level. Now a days, those only interested in obtaining a few more days hunting buy an in-line and skip the whole thing about transferring to traditional.
And...the NRA and NMLRA aren't the same. Membership in the NRA has a political aspect- fighting for gun rights. The NMLRA might do that to a very small degree but I don't think that dropping out means I'm some how benefitting from others being members. If I dropped out of the NRA that would be different, others would be supporting an organization that preserves my gun rights- I'd be benefitting from others paying their dues. The NMLRA is the back bone of competitive shoots with muzzle loading arms but if the focus is in Friendship- sure I can spend $1,000 driving up there but I think that is an unrealistic view of things.
In any event, membership is declining and there must be some reason. I may re-join, but with the tight economy I had to make some choices: cancel this magazine subscription, cut back here and there but save this or that. Under that type of situation the $40 a year for a magzine I sometimes don't even read- well that's why I dropped it.
And, I'm not complaining. I am trying to give constuctive criticism and I hope some of the decision makers at NMLRA read my views. I think the NMLRA ought to try to obtain as many views as possible to find out why the membership is dropping.

 

[flyfisher76544]

Not going to waste my breath. They don't want to hear anything and will not listen. :surrender:

 

[jamesthomas]

As a new member as of about 6 months the first magazine I received had a bunch of folks with their in-lines :shake: , and so far I haven't seen any how-to articles in it. I would really like at least one how-to article in the magazine, some examples, how to stain a powder horn ( different types of stains?) or make one, what do you use to scrimsaw and how to make the pattern stand out?. #2, What type of leather is good for making bags? i.e. what oz. of leather is good? and kind of leather dye? Maybe a cut out pattern or two? I know you can buy books that that tell you how but it would save folks the $25.00 or $35.00 bucks plus shipping, and maybe it would give folks incentive to get the books for more ideas. I live very far from Friendship so I don't see myself attending anytime soon, I'm looking at maybe 3 or 4 years before I MIGHT be able to save the funds for a trip (my car has 274,000 miles on it). The NMLRA needs to have a shoot sort of like Friendship,(it doesn't have to be as big), somewhere in the South, like Louisiana, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, maybe Florida? Then folks down here would have a chance to attend a NMLRA event without driving 1000+ miles. I know that finding the land might be tough but maybe they could do a survey and see if someone knows of a landowner or is one, who could sponsor a shoot and also find out how many members could, or (would attend it). They could have one in Nov., Dec., Jan., Feb. or Mar, maybe so folks wouldn't be miserable during a summer shoot. This is just my 2 or 4 cents worth.

 

[crockett]

I want to try to be fair. There are how to articles in the magazine although recently I didn't see very many. The NRA has "Men at Arms" which is dedicated to firearms collecting and some of the recent muzzle blast articles might have been better off there. In my humble opinion muzzle blasts ought to be about shooting muzzle loading weapons with some support on the accoutrements. Back when they had the Bevel Brothers- I always read that column. I think gun building is a part of it and articles on gun building are always good.
There are regional matches, I don't think that is the problem. The deal is however that you sort of have to know what you are doing. It is possible for a newbie to show up and there will be guys to help them out, what I was trying to say is that those who do show up are already muzzle loaders and actively involved. What I was thinking about was getting new people. There was an in-line shoot in Friendship a while back and that's an idea- let people bring their in-line the first time or two to see how things go but after that if they want to continue require a traditional firearm.

 

[crockett]

I'll make one more comment and then hush. The big alternative is Muzzleloader which is six issues instead of 12 but also at about half the cost. The NMLRA is non-profit but the alternative is for profit and yet less costly. The excess I assume on the NMLRA goes for the facilities and competitive shooting. As I said- if you live near Friendship or go there to shoot, fine but if you live too far away you are sort of paying extra money so some other person can shoot more affordably. It just doesn't seem equitable. They ought to drop the membership to about $30 per year, maybe 10 issues instead of 12, and have more user fees for those that use the Friendship facilities.

 

[flintlock50]

I would like to thank you all for your comments "we do listen and care"!

1. The NMLRA is a membership organization with a 5 person office staff and 1 maintenance person we do not have any shooting pros to go to various clubs and give instruction, this would need to come from field reps and local clubs which can contact office for help.

2.We currently hold several regional matches called Territorials including one in March in Al.
These are run by sponsor clubs, as this is the only way we can afford to reach out to offer shooting opportunities to our members and prospective members. If anyone finds these events not welcoming and helpful to new shooters this info needs to be passed on.The only other way it is possible for us to hold matches away from Friendship is to rent a facility like we do for the Winter national at the Ben Avery range.
As treasurer I can assure we are currently not financially able to consider investing in land and range development in new locations.

3.Muzzleloader subscription rates are $29.00 for 6 issues our membership is $40.00 and you receive 12 issues of Muzzle blasts.
NONE of this membership fee is used to support the shoots and events at Friendship these are paid for entirely by the participants at these events. Approximately $21.00 of this money goes to provide you with a magazine the remainder is used for operational expenses i.e. wages, advertising,charter clubs, field reps etc.

4.The content of Muzzle Blasts is a direct reflection of what articles are submitted, we do not have full time writers on staff, I will be the first to admit some months are not as interesting to me as others, this may be the months you find the most interesting, as we are serving a broad spectrum of members.

5.This commentary is why there was a survey sent to current members whose e-mail address is available to the office. It was sent out when most should have received their issue and while it was still fresh in their minds. We have no control over the speed at which the mail moves!

6. Most of the work that goes on at Friendship and all of the activities outside of Friendship is done by volunteers, if there is something you would like to see happen please feel free to pitch in and help make it happen, become a field rep, join a charter club and help them run a territorial,or as was done at Altoona PA last weekend start a brand new NMLRA match, which although affected by weather was a success.

I am not telling everyone they need to be members, and realize we will never make everyone happy, but we are answerable to our MEMBERSHIP even though all will not like the answer and we will occasionally be wrong.

 

[crockett]

I appreciate your response and it does sound like someone is listening. I dropped the membership due to having to cut back on things. I dropped other expenses as well. Maybe the drop in membership is simply a reflection of the overall ecomony. If I had plenty of money rolling in I probably would have just gone ahead and re-newed. I'm not against youth programs but it does seem to me that if time is going to be spent, it may be better to go after middle aged black powder hunters who have the finances to buy guns and equipment, etc. Going after middle aged shooters does not mean you are "anti-youth".
On the regional shoots, as I said, I know these are already being held. I visit a lot of the gun shops in my area on a regular basis. Most of them have a "bragging board" where folks can post photos of the big deer they shot, and there are usually a few announcements. One place has SASS events posted on a pretty regular basis. In any event if the NMLRA could have posted sheets at various gun shops- on an upcoming event with how it is done- I think that might be of interest. For example, let's say the poster had, "Ever seen a muzzle loading trap event? Or a chunk gun shoot? Come out to the XYZ range on Nov XY and have an area field rep of the NMLRA explain to you how the shoot is conducted, what type firearms are used, and how the scoring is done. Bring any type of black powder rifle you own and get in some shooting on your own after the seminar."
I might be wrong on this- maybe try it in one area and see how the response is, if it works out- then expand in that direction.
The guns. Someone has a t/c Hawken and goes to an event and all the other shooters have some upscale firearm they cannot compete against. Maybe hold a "stock car" type shoot where only "off the shelf" CVA, T/C, GPR, etc can be used- just a thought.
Timing, most guys need to sight in prior to hunting season so a prime time (next year) would be 2-4 weeks before muzzle loader season opens. A lot of guys might think, "I have to check out the sights any way- might as well go to the NMLRA event."

 

[flintlockrb]

I for one support the NMLRA.
As with anything-it has its good & it has its areas needing improvement.

When I first started I had no clue. If it wasn't for a local (charter)club & the people there I may not be shooting today. They gave me the help & confidence to want to do more.

As I am a (10 yr) instructor in another shooting discipline - I can share that ALL shooing sports are on the decline. The cause is not just limited to one thing. So the push is to get new shooters. And yes, youth are a large targeted group as are women.But,they should not be the only people being considered.

I have been lucky to experience Friendship since I live nearby. And believe me, I cherish the amazing times & friendships I have been blessed with. But, I do understand that there are others that can not attend for one reason or another.

I agree with the need to go out & "sell" our sport. To offer classes for new folks coming in of ALL ages as well as offer "how to's". I also see a need for something similiar to the Winter Shoot out west - why not do one in the south as well!

In the last few years there has been a real effort to add more... the Ladies Weekend Shoot
(a womens only event exposing them to offhand, pistol,trap,hawk throwing,& now archery), the new Educational Building which is starting to offer "how to" classes, partnering with the NRA, & much more. Side note - did you know the Assoc.President went before the UN to speak on behalf of gun rights.

For me, Friendship is the home - the heart of the NMLRA. Just as we all have a "home" so does the NMLRA. And just like families today - we can't always be home...but our heart always is.

I belive the NMLRA & anything else that we involve ourselves with...is what we make it.

I'm choosing to be part of the solution.

 

[FishDFly]

For me, Friendship is the home - the heart of the NMLRA. Just as we all have a "home" so does the NMLRA. And just like families today - we can't always be home...but our heart always is.

I belive the NMLRA & anything else that we involve ourselves with...is what we make it.

I'm choosing to be part of the solution.

I agree.

 

[Snakebite]

I was a NMLRA member from the late 70s to the mid 90s. It was then I dropped my membership because they were getting heavily into inlines. Then a couple of years ago I got a copy and it seemed like they had retreated a lot back to traditional so I rejoined.

I guess Muzzle Blasts has a lot to be desired, but still it's out there to support what we like to do. I would like to see some different things like more how to articles, but the magazine is out there doing the best it can. I took the survey, did it written and mailed it in. Will my comments do any good? I don't know.

I'll for go a couple six packs of beer over a year to send in my membership dues. Even a not so great magazine is better than a lot of what's on TV. But for me, it's more than just a magazine. When I'm done I give my copies to people who might become interested in traditional muzzle loading.

:2

 

[flyfisher76544]

I am not telling everyone they need to be members, and realize we will never make everyone happy, but we are answerable to our MEMBERSHIP even though all will not like the answer and we will occasionally be wrong.

Maybe, just maybe...... if you are serious about finding out why soooo many folks left the NMLRA you would send out the survey to those who are no longer members. I am sure the office has email addresses and such. You are "answerable to our current members" but I think you should be also interested in the views of possible new members or old ones that left.

 

[Claude Mathis]

... if you are serious about finding out why soooo many folks left the NMLRA you would send out the survey to those who are no longer members.

That would be priceless information for any business to obtain.

 

[flyfisher76544]

... if you are serious about finding out why soooo many folks left the NMLRA you would send out the survey to those who are no longer members.

That would be priceless information for any business to obtain.

Yes it would!! :thumbsup:

 

[tecum-tha]

Now it seems you were once a NMLRA member. Would you like to share why you left?

 

[flyfisher76544]

Now it seems you were once a NMLRA member. Would you like to share why you left?

I will later on today, I am heading out to go hunting. :thumbsup:

 

[flintlock50]

Not sure if we still do this but we did up to three years ago, because I took the time to read the few we got back, seems most ended up in trash.
Surprisingly to me at least there wasn't that much of value in them, most gave economic reasons for leaving,and others cited a lack of exclusivity for their area of interest in muzzle-loading,i.e. I'm not a competitive shooter so why is this in magazine.

The info that I considered helpful was the lack of member benefits to those who were a long distance from current NMLRA events, this is being worked on and will slowly improve. Things like discounts from venders,possible mail order sale of powder to members etc.

Also of interest to me, we consulted with people who track this kind of info for a living and it seems once a person leaves an organization it is a waste of time trying to get them back,seems when you push them to quit they are done, so majority of effort needs to be dedicated to keeping what you have and recruiting new members.
This is important for organizations with limited economic resources.

The current survey asking about Muzzle-Blasts which was sent out three times to random members has been completed and returned a very high approval rating for our magazine from current members.

I am happy to listen, don't always have a solution.

 

[flyfisher76544]

First off, I was a member for 3 years. My initial reason for leaving the org was that I was medically retired from the Army. So my finances had to come first. Once everything was caught up I just had had enough of the usual issues from the NMLRA. They want your feedback and ideas for making the org grow but it always falls on deaf ears. The idea of getting youth involved is great, but you also have to get their parents involved as well. They are the ones that will bring the kids back and have to spend the money to keep them shooting. They are talking about how Duck Dynasty has had a positive influence on duck hunting and they should do the same with muzzleloaders. First off, Duck Dynasty hasn't had a positive influence on duck hunting..... ask any duck hunter and they will tell you the same thing. This was discussed in the past about using youtube, twitter and facebook to reach out to the younger generation. Sent a few guys to the facebook page and they basically asked me if it was one of those designer home things since all that was on there was about someone remodeling a house.(Kudos to the volunteers, and yes I did explain it to them about the importance of the Rand house)
Never had an issue with the magazine or anything. I tried to become more involved and lend a hand as to say(or voice). Opinions were asked on the FB page and the usual "inner circle" would bash any outside ideas that would come up. Especially if it pointed out that the entire organization could not put all of its focus on Friendship. Yes I know it is the headquarters and all that. If you look at any of the top orgs out there, they do have an HQ but it is not the "only" focus of the org. With the NMLRA is seems to be the sole and only focus. Point this out like we have in the past..... and you get blasted and crucified on their facebook page. So the basic feeling I got was that if I wanted to be part of the org..... I had to travel to Friendship to participate.
I know, I know......"you could always go to a Regional shoot that is closer to you." But what most of the folks don't realize is that it is more cash out the door. Sure I will save some money....not. Except I have to pay to belong to one of the clubs on top of the dues for being a member of the NMLRA. Plus kick out more if that club is not hosting the shoot. After you figure all that into the equation....it would just be cheaper to go to Indiana. But then again, most of the clubs have dropped the NMLRA. Why pay someone else money to play that doesn’t do anything for the club? :youcrazy: Most folks don’t even address it as the NMLRA anymore, they just call it the Friendship Club. :shake:
Now, saying that.... I do hope that some time in the future things will improve. One of the key issues was the way the org has alienated the living history/reenactors in the past and some of the members still do. Something has to be done or it will just die out as it is slowly doing now. At least kick in some other things to attract folks, you can't justify 40 dollars for membership and all they get is a sticker and a magazine subscription.

Take it for what it is worth, again it is just my opinion and what I have seen/experienced.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

forums offer a ton more info and most of them are free :haha:

 

[Billnpatti]

You are right, Muzzle Blasts is heavily loaded with information about Friendship. that is, after all, the headquarters for NMLRA and that is where the National Matches are held. The main reason there are so few articles about the many club muzzleloading matches around the country is a lack of writers who will submit acceptable articles about these shoots. Often when material is submitted by these clubs it is very amateurish writing consisting of names and scores and finishing off with "a good time was had by all". If you can't get well written material being submitted, how can you expect Muzzle Blasts not be Friendship oriented. If no one submits a good "how to" article, you won't see these articles being published. NMLRA doesn't have the funds to hire a large staff of writers for these articles so if you don't have a membership who submits decently written material, you just won't have it in the magazine. Sure, the NRA magazines have well written diverse articles but they have a relatively large paid staff of writers who can turn out such material every month.

I am as guilty as most everyone else in that I have never submitted an article to Muzzle Blasts. I am not a writer and I am not an expert on any aspect of muzzleloading. Oh sure, I make a number of posts on this forum but that is far from being the kind of material that is worthy of publishing. I wish I could write like the Bevel Brothers and knew how to come up with stuff to write about but I must face facts.....I ain't and I don't. I urge anyone who is a member of NMLRA and has the gift of writing to write an article about the doin's of your club or a "how to" article and submit it for consideration. You can do what you can to improve the magazine or you can accept it as it is or you can sit back, do nothing and whine. After reading this thread, I am of the opinion that we have more than enough do nothing whiners.